Bill · S. 1221· Senate(119-S-1221)
BOLIVAR Act
- Introduced
- 4/1/2025
- Last activity
- 4/1/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Rick Scott
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The BOLIVAR Act aims to prohibit executive agencies from entering into contracts for goods or services with individuals or entities that engage in significant business operations with the Venezuelan government not recognized by the United States. This prohibition is subject to several exceptions, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and national security interests. The Secretary of State holds the authority to grant exceptions or waive requirements if it serves the national interest. Certain contracts, such as those for U.S. government activities or diplomatic missions in Venezuela, are also excluded from the ban. This measure applies to contracts entered into during a three-year period following the Act's enactment.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill expands executive agency authority to prohibit specific commercial contracts.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-5
The bill restricts certain business entities from engaging in government procurement.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Humanitarian and Life-Saving Aid: The bill allows for exceptions to ensure that the people of Venezuela can receive humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and urgent life-saving measures (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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National Security: The Secretary of State can authorize contracts that are deemed to be in the national security interests of the United States (Section 2(b)(1)(A)(B)).
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Diplomatic Operations: The bill ensures that the operation and maintenance of United States Government consular offices and diplomatic posts in Venezuela can continue (Section 2(d)).
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U.S. Government Presence: Contracts that support United States Government activities in Venezuela, including the maintenance of facilities, are permitted (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Contracting Restrictions: The head of an executive agency is prohibited from entering into procurement contracts with any person determined to be knowingly engaging in significant business operations with the Venezuelan government not recognized by the United States (Section 2(a)).
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Broad Definition of Business Operations: The term "business operations" is defined broadly to include engaging in commerce in any form, such as acquiring, developing, maintaining, owning, selling, possessing, leasing, or operating various business apparatuses (Section 2(f)(2)).
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Wide Scope of Entities Affected: The term "person" includes a wide range of entities such as natural persons, corporations, companies, business associations, partnerships, societies, trusts, and even governmental entities or their successors and subsidiaries (Section 2(f)(5)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5
- 9/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/1/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Ashley MoodyRepublican · Florida